Our View

It’s hard to believe 2012 is nearly over. It’s been a busy year, much of it focused on local, state and national elections and the still-struggling economy. But the election is finally over and while the county’s unemployment rate is still in the double digits this year – 10.8 percent in October, that is an improvement on the 12.6 posted at the same time last year.

The Lancaster County Parks and Recreation 9-10 all-star football team’s season didn’t end the way it wanted, but the team’s run was quite stunning.
The 9-10 stars fell to defending state champion city of Florence in the S.C. Athletic Programs Division II state champion game at Florence Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 8.
Florence built a 12-0 halftime lead on the way to the 20-0 win over the Lancaster County stars.
Florence scored on its first two possessions on the way to the win.

A toast to South Middle School’s recent success is in order. The toast would likely go something like this, “Here’s looking at you, SMS.”
South has earned the coveted honor of a School to Watch.
The honor puts SMS in elite company as less than 350 schools nationwide have earned the honor, and only 13 in the Palmetto State.
One of those lucky 13 is Indian Land Middle School in the county’s Panhandle, which was recently redesignated a School to Watch after garnering the title in 2010.

Not every mentally-ill person is violent. Not every gun is used to kill first-graders, principals and teachers. Evil is, has always been and will always be with us. Our hearts were broken, our breath sucked away and we were left completely helpless when mental illness, weapons and evil combined at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

With Christmas lights up and area holiday parades starting this weekend, it’s definitely starting to look and even feel, with the recent frost, like Christmas here in Lancaster County.
With Black Thursday/Friday behind us and the holiday shopping season in full swing, we’d like to remind shoppers to Think Lancaster First.
The Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce’s shop local initiative is also in full swing with discounts galore in its new Think Lancaster First coupon book.

There’s been plenty to cheer about this fall at Andrew Jackson and Buford high schools.
Both of the county schools earned playoff berths in the Class AA Division II Upper State football playoffs.
AJ notched a postseason win for the first time in eight seasons, while BHS earned a home playoff game with a solid regular-season finish.

This Thanksgiving, take time to be thankful for more than just a good meal. Give thanks for what you’ve been blessed with and share what you can with those in need.
It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day, the traditional kickoff of America’s holiday season.
Our national day of giving thanks dates back to 1621 in Massachusetts, when we believe the Pilgrims and Native Americans celebrated a successful harvest with food and festivities.

On Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 6 – registered voters across the country will be able to exercise one of the most precious privileges our democracy grants us – the opportunity to determine who will represent us in our government.
Lancaster County voters will help choose our next president, U.S. and S.C. House representatives, county sheriff, County Council member and Lancaster City Council members. The other races on local ballots are all unopposed.
County voters will choose between these hopefuls:

Every couple of years, right before elections, certain topics are frequently discussed, then fade into the background once politicians have secured your vote.
Budget deficits and the national debt are among the ones that come up most often.
Debt is also among the most difficult topics for the average person to understand. After all, if you’re an average South Carolinian making $32,000 a year, it is difficult to understand exactly how much money $1 trillion is.

The city of Lancaster is putting its money where its mouth is in support of a future business park near Lancaster County Airport on S.C. 9 West.
Lancaster City Council, by a 6-1 vote, approved at its Oct. 23 meeting to allocate $900,000 to extend city water and sewer services to the Lancaster Air-Rail Industrial Park, a joint project being planned by Lancaster City and County Councils.